NaNoWriMo Nov Day 14: Catherine Doyle
Today the fantastic Catherine Doyle, author of the deliciously dark Blood for Blood series, shares her top writing tips ... (more…)
Romantic reads!
It's Valentine's Day! Why not start off the most romantic day of the year with some of our most romantic reads? Whether it's an epic time-slip romance, a hilariously awkward teen comedy or a dark and dangerous Mafia tale: we've got something for everyone ... (more…)
Inferno is out today!
To celebrate the release of Inferno, the second explosive installment in the Blood for Blood trilogy, today we have a guest post from author Catherine Doyle! (more…)
TOP 5 FRIDAY: Literary Crushes
Setting aside the possibly unhealthy habit of fancying people in books rather than in real life (how can anyone ever measure up to Will Parry's determination to drift about in atoms until he finds Lyra again?) we are of course spoilt for choice in literary worlds. Here's a mix of suitable boys and very bad boys who only exist in our fevered imaginations - but we love them all.
1. THE FIRST CRUSH: Gilbert Blythe from Lucy Maud Montgomery's Anne of Green Gables
Although there's close competition from Laurie in Little Women (how could Jo dump him), the moment Gilbert pulled Anne Shirley's braid and called her 'carrots' is hard to beat. Handsome, persistent (for years), intelligent and romantic ('I don't want your friendship, Anne...'), Gilbert doesn't have ANY faults.
2. THE ALL-AMERICAN CRUSH: Jay Gatsby from F. Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby
Those infamous, expensive parties are all for Daisy and the promise of the green light at the end of the dock. Fabulously wealthy, he's just a dreamer at heart and gets it all wrong trying to impress one (undeserving!) girl. The serious 'lifetime achievement' vote in this category should go to Atticus Finch for inspiring moral courage that has endured for more than half a century.
3. THE DISTURBING CRUSH: Edward Cullen from Stephenie Meyer's Twilight
The noughties cannot be mentioned without him, or are we all thinking of R-Pattz? Disturbing because his Byronic looks, the sparkling marble skin, the superhuman abilities, disguise the fact that he's a terrifying predator. But as his fans would say, it's not his fault he's a telepathic vampire ...
4. THE CLASSIC CRUSH: Marius Pontmercy from Victor Hugo's Les Misérables
Tempting though it is to choose swashbuckling d'Artagnan or vengeful Edmond Dantes, the animal Heathcliff or the repressed Mr Darcy ('In vain have I struggled!'), it's the idealistic revolutionary Marius that wins our vote. Susan Fletcher's Eponine might have said she was only 'a little' in love but who was she kidding, really?
5. THE FIGHT-TO-THE-DEATH CRUSH: Luca Falcone from Catherine Doyle's Vendetta
Who would you trust when you're fighting for your life? In The Hunger Games there's Gale and Peta - difficult choice. In Catherine Doyle's Vendetta you get five hot mafia brothers - nightmare decision! But ultimately, are you on Team Nic or Team Luca? And before you ask, no - you can't have more than one ...
Who have we missed? Let us know by tweeting us at @chickenhsebooks!
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
A very happy 2015 to all! We're already really excited about what the year holds, not least because January is already off to a flying start. This month sees the release of both Catherine Doyle's dark YA romance VENDETTA and Dan Smith's thrilling action adventure BIG GAME, soon to be a major movie.
VENDETTA tells the story of Sophie, who is thrown into an unknown world of danger, love and revenge when the Priestly brothers move into town. Gritty, romantic and totally compelling, VENDETTA is set in present-day Chicago against the murky morality of the criminal underworld ...
For Sophie, it's a long dull summer in the Chicago suburbs until five mysterious brothers move into her neighbourhood. A chance encounter with one of them leaves her breathless. But all is not what it seems.
As the secrets of Nic's Sicilian heritage emerge and Sophie falls deeper into his world, her own family skeletons come to life. Caught up in a twisted game of revenge between two warring dynasties, the choice between love and family suddenly comes at a deadly price.
For slightly younger readers, BIG GAME is the perfect new year read. A thrilling survival story set in the Finnish wilderness, page will become screen in May - keep an eye out for the blockbuster movie starring Samuel L. Jackson!
13-year-old Oskari is sent into the cold wilderness on an ancient test of manhood. He must survive armed only with a bow and arrow. But instead, he stumbles upon an escape pod from a burning airliner: Air Force One. Terrorists have shot down the President of the United States.
The boy hunter and the world's most powerful man are suddenly the hunted, and so begins an extraordinary survival race against a powerful and deadly enemy ...
You can find both of these amazing new releases in stores now - what are you waiting for?
Follow Catherine Doyle on Twitter: @doyle_cat
Follow Dan Smith on Twitter: @dansmithauthor
Follow Chicken House on Twitter: @chickenhsebooks
